Arrive in Thailand’s Bustling and Notable Capital City, Bangkok
Welcome to the fabulous city of Bangkok, Thailand. Your private transfer will greet you at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon your arrival and escort you to a gorgeous hotel at the heart of the bustling city. The fast-paced metropolis displays the vibrancy of the urban life, with a constant, whiplashing urgency at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, you will peer down into the streets of the city and find the beating heart of culture hidden within the furious speed of the day. From the temples to the food and the hidden tranquil alleyways, which you will find winding beneath the banyan trees, Bangkok is an amalgamation of many things, all of which are surprising, enticing, and captivating.
The National Museum and Wang Na Palace acted as the country’s only museum from the late 19th-century until the mid-1970s. The collection is spread across three permanent exhibitions that depict Thai history, archeology, and art. A specific gallery displays a selection of antique weaponry, as well as a preview of a Siamese war elephant dressed for battle. The structure stands as a testament to Thai history with religious and national regalia, ceramics, and musical instruments. A series of Buddha figures adorn the 18th-century Buddhaiswana Chapel amidst a mural of various important scenes from Buddha’s life.
Find Remarkably Preserved History at Kanchanaburi
At breakfast, local tropical delicacies add bright color to the table, from sweet pineapple to ripe bananas. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee accentuates the saccharine flavors of the juicy fruits. After the meal, you will travel by private car to Kanchanaburi, located just west of Bangkok. The city sits peacefully beside the Kwai Noi River but was once at the center of Japanese control during the Second World War. The JEATH Museum, which stands for Japan, England, Australia, Thailand, and Holland, represents the disparate nationalities that were prisoners of war under the Japanese occupation. The POWs were forced to construct the bridge over the river and their story was commemorated in the 1952 French film, Bridge on the River Kwai, which was later translated into English in 1954.
The serenity of the city feels at odds with the tumultuous history that you will find within the museum. Located on the riverbank inside Wat Chai Chumphon, the museum showcases items used during the construction of what has become known as the Death Railway. The Japanese erected the bridge between 1942 and 1943 with the intention to connect Thailand and Burma. Then, you spend some time in the bamboo hut, which is a replica that displays the conditions of the prisoners of war during their struggle. It also has photographs of the prisoners, the guards, and the details of the years of war that you can view.
Visit Elephants World and return to Bangkok
Elephants World is a sanctuary for sick, old and abused elephants. Here we work for the elephants, instead of them working for us. This means that you will be involved in taking care of our elephants by feeding them, preparing food for them and scrub them clean in the river. You will get to enjoy very close contact with these gentle, giant animals.
We pick you up at your hotel/guest house (in Kanchanaburi city only) at 9.00 AM. Arrival at ElephantsWorld. Meet and feed the elephants. Observe the elephants bathing at 10:30 AM. And then clean fruit/vegetables, prepare and cook sticky rice for our old elephants. Buffet lunch at 12.00 PM. Observe our elephants having a mud bath (elephant spa). Gathering/planting food for the elephants. e.g banana trees/sugar cane / bana grass, prepare fruit baskets for the afternoon and get educated about the elephants’ food. Feed sticky rice balls to the old and weak elephants at 14:00 PM. Take the elephants to the river for a bath / scrub them clean at 15:00 PM. Feed the elephants fruit and vegetables at 15:30 PM. End of the day, we bring you back to Bangkok for the night.
Visit Chinatown's bustling street market in the evening and savour some delicious Thai cuisine. Some of the eateries here have earned listing in new Michelin guide street food edition.
After breakfast transfer to airport for your onward flight.
